An SOS for more DIY gritters in Sudbury

WE NEED MORE: Volunteer gritter Bob Grant with community wardens Nathan Mitchell and Bradley Smith, who are appealing for more volunteer gritters.

Published:10:53Thursday 10 November 2011

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to join the band of Sudbury residents responsible for the town’s grit bins.

The town council has increased the number of bins dotted around the town – all filled with grit for people to throw on to pavements in wintry weather – from 30 to 46.

Community warden Bradley Smith said up until last year, volunteer gritters were not covered by insurance, but that was now not the case.

“People are now covered by the council’s insurance,” he said. “We give them a list of what they need to do and, as long as they stick to the instructions, they are covered.” He added: “The scheme worked well last year and it made more roads accessible.

“We would urge people to embrace this scheme as they did last year.”

Last winter, 300 people came forward to volunteer, helping makes pavements which normally miss out on council grit rounds safer.